Max Verstappen Unveils New Helmet for 2026 F1 Season

Max Verstappen has officially unveiled his new helmet design for the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking another visible step in his preparation for the sport’s new regulatory era.

The reveal comes one week after Red Bull Racing launched its 2026 car, the RB22, at the headquarters of its new technical partner Ford in Detroit. Verstappen has now completed the initial phase of his season launch by presenting the latest design of his Schuberth helmet.

A key visual change for 2026 is the return of the number 3 on Verstappen’s helmet. The Dutch driver has opted to race with that number after losing the right to carry the number 1, having missed out on a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship last season by just two points to Lando Norris.

The choice of number reflects both competitive context and symbolism. After a narrowly lost title fight in 2025, Verstappen enters 2026 without the reigning champion’s designation, underlining the shift in status and the renewed pressure heading into a regulation reset year.

Commercial and technical alignment is also evident in the updated helmet design. The ‘Ford Racing’ logo is prominently displayed above the visor on both sides, highlighting Ford’s integration into Red Bull’s Formula 1 programme as a power unit partner for the 2026 regulations.

From a design perspective, the helmet features a noticeably glossier finish than in previous seasons. The colour scheme mirrors the aesthetic of Red Bull’s 2026 livery, with a bold block-style background forming the foundation of the design, reinforcing visual consistency across the team’s branding.

Verstappen continues to use a helmet supplied by Schuberth, maintaining continuity in safety equipment and fit. As Formula 1 enters a new technical cycle, such details play a role not only in performance and safety but also in reinforcing identity during a period of major transition.

The helmet unveiling completes a sequence of early-season announcements for Verstappen, who approaches 2026 seeking to respond to the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the title. The updated design reflects both a fresh start and the competitive tension surrounding his campaign.

As the season build-up continues, Verstappen’s new helmet stands as a visual marker of Red Bull’s renewed challenge for supremacy, with the Dutch driver aiming to reclaim championship momentum in Formula 1’s most significant regulatory reset in over a decade.